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Linguist Tweaks MS For Redefining "Genuine"

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the words-mean-exactly-what-i-want-them-to-mean dept.

crazybilly writes, "The Language Log, home blog for several professional linguists, posted a story a few days ago about how Microsoft is redefining the word 'genuine' (as in the 'Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative') in an attempt to increase public sympathy for their anti-piracy efforts. From the article: 'An unlicensed copy of Microsoft Windows is perfectly genuine. It has exactly the same functionality as a licensed copy and was made by the same company... I suspect that Microsoft is attempting to redefine "genuine" because it has had a hard time getting sympathy for its actual complaint, namely unlicensed distribution.'"

15 of 346 comments (clear)

  1. Cunning linguist jokes by XorNand · · Score: 4, Funny

    The line for all the "cunning linguist" jokes starts right -----> here.

    --
    Entrepreneur : (noun), French for "unemployed"
  2. if *that* bugs him, by macadamia_harold · · Score: 3, Funny

    If that bothers him, it sounds like he would have a field day with "Ginuwine". And shortly after, "Ludacris".

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    Push Button, Receive Bacon
    1. Re:if *that* bugs him, by macadamia_harold · · Score: 2, Funny

      I run only Ginuwine Microsoft Windows.

      Of course, as was predicted by Nastradamus

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      Push Button, Receive Bacon
  3. it's the future.... by macadamia_harold · · Score: 4, Funny

    Thus, Microsoft I guess has some legitimacy in using the word Genuine.

    Yeah, I think this guy is using an outdated version of the word. Like when people use the word "ask" instead of "ax", or "Christmas" instead of "X-Mas".

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    Push Button, Receive Bacon
    1. Re:it's the future.... by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 2, Funny

      My reference is much more obscure than yours.

      --
      Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
    2. Re:it's the future.... by Yahweh+Doesn't+Exist · · Score: 3, Funny

      >I was backed up by an actual Catholic Priest who indicated that...

      "actual" Catholic Priest?

      no thanks, I prefer to receive God's words through a Genuine Roman Catholic(R) Priest XP Cathedral Edition Update(TM)

    3. Re:it's the future.... by Randolpho · · Score: 3, Funny
      I was backed up by an actual Catholic Priest
      You meant a genuine Catholic Priest, right?
      --
      "Times have not become more violent. They have just become more televised."
      -Marilyn Manson
    4. Re:it's the future.... by mek2600 · · Score: 3, Funny

      FYI- Support for Genuine Roman Catholic(R) Priest XP Cathedral Edition Update(TM) ends this October unless it has SP2 applied.

  4. This story is so stupid... by Shimmer · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm tempted to subscribe to Slashdot for a day just so I can demand my money back in outrage.

    --
    The most rabid believers in American Exceptionalism are the exact same people whose policies are destroying it.
  5. Re:Genuine? by pdbaby · · Score: 1, Funny
    the linguist really is making a hissy-fit over nothing
    I thought that was their job? *duck* Good bye karma.
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    Global symbol "$deity" requires explicit package name at line 2. - If only $scripture started "use strict;"
  6. Re:Come on. by westlake · · Score: 2, Funny
    This is genuinely a word-mincing exercise to discredit Microsoft. Is this really suitable as /. news?

    It's Saturday night. It's a chance to take a shot at Microsoft? What else is there for a Geek to do?

  7. Re:Genuine? by tsajeff · · Score: 2, Funny
    You may be a cunning linguist, but I am a master debater.

    - Austin Powers

  8. Cunning linguists and Master debaters by Pfhorrest · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've often pondered how odd it is that one must have excellent oral skills in order to be a master debater, and yet one can be a cunning linguist and perform all of one's work entirely by hand.

    --
    -Forrest Cameranesi, Geek of all Trades
    "I am Sam. Sam I am. I do not like trolls, flames, or spam."
  9. Why pick on Genuine by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 4, Funny

    They've redefined so many words, why just pick on their use of "genuine". Consider: windows, reliability, Start, exciting, innovation, micro....

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    Engineering is the art of compromise.
    1. Re:Why pick on Genuine by neoform · · Score: 3, Funny

      You forgot the newly defined word "Advantage", here's my new definition due to MS's "Geniune Advantage" service packs..

      Here's the old definition:
      1. any state, circumstance, opportunity, or means specially favorable to success, interest, or any desired end: the advantage of a good education.

      2.benefit; gain; profit: It will be to his advantage to learn Chinese before going to China.

      And here's my new version:

      1. any state, circumstance, opportunity, or means specially favorable to microsoft's success, interest, or any desired end for microsoft: the advantage of a good microsoft education.
      2. benefit to microsoft; gain for microsoft; profit for microsoft: It will be to microsoft's advantage to learn Chinese before going to China.

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      MABASPLOOM!